When we talk about retirement on this blog it’s serious talk. I’m generally trying to scare you into action. But not today. Today, I want you to dream. Yeah, it sounds like a waste of time, but it’s a real exercise. I want you to visualize your retirement. Not what you see on commercials or what your parents or grandparents have done, what YOU want your retirement to look like. Where will you live? What will you live in? How much will you travel? Will you work? Will you volunteer? Asking yourself these questions now is important. I don’t care if you are 22 or 52, understanding what you want your retirement to look like is an important step in preparing for it.
When you know what you want you can start to work backwards. Will your retirement require a big move? Will it require extra income than your savings will cover? Will working help supplement what your savings and investments can’t cover?
Visualizing and dreaming about what you want your future to look like will not only help you come up with a realistic plan but it will also motivate you to keep on keepin’ on.
Read my full Indy Star column here.

Peter Dunn a.k.a. Pete the Planner® is an award-winning financial mind and a former comedian. He’s a USA TODAY columnist, author of ten books, and is the host of the popular radio show and podcast, The Pete the Planner Show. Pete is considered one of the foremost experts on financial wellness in the world, but he’s just as likely to talk your ear off about bass fishing.